Okjeong Lake in Unam-myeon, Imsil County, Jeollabuk-do is being transformed from a century-long site of hardship into a major eco-tourism destination. Built around the Unam Dam (completed 1929) and later affected by the Seomjin River Dam, local residents endured repeated displacement and restrictions as the area was designated a protected water source. Since 2015, local government lifted the water-source protection zone and began large-scale, eco-friendly development: creating the Bungeo Island ("Bungeo-seom") Ecopark, the Seomjin River Eco-Museum, waterfront trails, and visitor facilities. Investments have funded an EcoNuri campus, eco-gardens, a skywalk, suspension bridges, and plans for cable cars, a monorail, zip-line and water sports to build a stay-and-play destination. A second-phase project (2021–2025) allocates further funding for mountain and waterside recreation, camping, and improved access roads. During the prolonged COVID-19 period, Imsil’s clean image attracted more domestic visitors, and local officials expect tourism and festivals (cheese festival, rose and chrysanthemum events, winter Santa festival) to push annual visitors toward one million. The developments aim to boost local incomes, prevent haphazard development, and position Imsil and Jeonbuk as a major tourism node linked with nearby attractions such as Jeonju Hanok Village.
